Vernon Police Investigating Bank Robbery

Suspect Reportedly Had What Appeared To Be Bomb Strapped To Him

The person suspected of robbing the People's United Bank at Tri-City… (Courtesy of Vernon Police…)

June 21, 2013|By DAVID OWENS, dowens@courant.com, The Hartford Courant

VERNON — A bank robber claiming to be armed with a bomb robbed the People's United Bank branch at Tri-City Plaza in Vernon Circle Friday morning.

The robber approached the bank manager in the parking lot as she walked from her car to the bank, then walked into the bank with her. Inside were several more employees.

The manager was tied up, the man took money and then fled in the manager's car, a gray 2006 Chrysler Sebring. No injuries were reported.

Police said the car was found a little over two miles away near an old mill off Deming Street in Manchester. Bomb technicians checked the car for explosives and found none. Police also used dogs to search the area, but did not find the robber. The eastbound and westbound exit 63 ramps from I-84 were closed briefly, police said.

The robbery is reported to be a thin white man, about 6-feet tall, and was wearing a mask with holes cut out and sunglasses underneath. He was wearing a black t-shirt, a gray sweatshirt, gray gloves, brown sweat pants and black sneakers.

Anyone with information or who saw anything unusual around the time of the robbery is asked to call Vernon police at 860-872-9126.